Season 0

Monday, January 18th, 2016

1: Celebrity Showdown (2016)

Get ready for the ultimate snack-down when award-winning judge Gordon Ramsay and renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi invite celebrities into the MasterChef kitchen to battle it out against each other for charity. The 2-hour special tests the culinary skills of the celebrity competitors, and also pits previous MasterChef winners against some of MasterChef Junior's Season 4 contestants, as they compete in culinary showdowns to win a cash prize for the charities of their choice. Celebrity Competitors Include Supermodels Gigi Hadid and Devon Windsor; Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Terry Crews and wife, Rebecca Crews; The Last Man on Earth's Boris Kodjoe and wife, Nicole Ari Parker; and Empire's Kaitlin Doubleday and Ta'Rhonda Jones; as well as MasterChef Winners Luca Manfe, Christine Ha, and Claudia Sandoval; and MasterChef Junior Season 4 Contestants Addison, Amaya, and Zac.

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

2: Celebrity Showdown (2017)

Get ready for the ultimate snack-down when chef Gordon Ramsay and pastry chef Christina Tosi invite celebrities into the MasterChef kitchen to show off their culinary skills and compete in head-to-head contests for charity.

Season 1

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

1: Auditions #1

Cooks share their signature dishes with the judges in hopes of advancing to the next round of the competition.

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

2: Auditions #2

Auditions continue as amateur cooks try to impress the judges.

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

3: Top 14 Revealed

The cooks must prove that they have mastered basic kitchen techniques; the judges reveal which cooks have made it into the top 14.

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

4: 14 Chefs Compete (1)

One team is safe from elimination after winning a challenge where they spend the day feeding hundreds of Marines; the losing team faces a pressure test.

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

5: 14 Chefs Compete (2)

The cooks prepare their best dishes in hopes of impressing the judges.

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

6: 11 Chefs Compete (1)

The contestants are asked to make a single cupcake; chef Cat Cora and the contestants cook at a truck stop.

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

7: 11 Chefs Compete (2)

The remaining chefs need to feed 100 truckers at a remote California truck stop. The losing team returns to the kitchen to face a pressure test, which consists of naming as many foods as they can from a table of farmer's market ingredients.

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

8: 9 Chefs Compete (1)

In their first challenge of the day, the chefs are asked to make a dish with dungeness crab

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

9: 9 Chefs Compete (2)

The contestants must cater a high-end wedding, and things go awry when the main course goes missing. The losing team goes back to the MasterChef kitchen to face a pressure test, and one more chef is eliminated.

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

10: 6 Chefs Compete (1)

The contestants undergo a Mystery Box challenge and an Invention Test.

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

11: 6 Chefs Compete (2)

The contestants go fishing, and use their catches for their entrees. Another chef is eliminated.

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

12: Winner Revealed (1)

After enduring pressure tests and grueling challenges, the remaining chefs compete for $250,000 and a cookbook-publishing deal.

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

13: Winner Revealed (2)

The winner is revealed.

Season 2

Monday, June 6th, 2011

1: Audition 1

Hopefuls prepare signature dishes in hope of impressing the judges.

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

2: Audition 2

Hopefuls vie for a spot in the top 38.

Monday, June 13th, 2011

3: Audition No. 3; Top 38 Revealed

The top 38 contestants are revealed.

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

4: Top 18 Revealed

The contestants prove they are proficient in basic kitchen techniques.

Monday, June 20th, 2011

5: Top 16 Revealed

The contestants have one hour to make a dish using mystery ingredients; the winner picks the main ingredient in the elimination round.

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

6: Top 16 Compete

The contestants form two teams that must cook a five-course meal for hundreds of diners; one contestant is sent home.

Monday, June 27th, 2011

7: Top 15 Compete

The contestants hope to impress the judges and advance to the next round.

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

8: Top 14 Compete

The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

9: Top 13 Compete

The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Monday, July 11th, 2011

10: Top 12 Compete

The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Monday, July 18th, 2011

11: Top 11 Compete

The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

12: Top 10 Compete

The 10 remaining cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

13: Top 9 Compete

The contestants try to impress the judges and advance to the next round.

Monday, August 1st, 2011

14: Top 8 Compete

The remaining contestants try to impress the judges.

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

15: Top 8 Compete Again

After being spared from elimination, the eight remaining cooks again vie for a spot in the next round; two contestants are eliminated.

Monday, August 8th, 2011

16: Top 6 Compete

The six remaining cooks compete for a spot in the next round.

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

17: Top 5 Compete

The five remaining chefs compete for a spot in the next round.

Monday, August 15th, 2011

18: Top 4 Compete

The four remaining contestants prepare dishes for the judges from around the world.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

19: Top 3 Compete

The remaining cooks compete.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

20: Winner Revealed

One contestant wins the grand prize of $250,000.

Season 3

Monday, June 4th, 2012

1: Auditions No. 1

The hopefuls prepare their signature dishes for the judges.

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

2: Auditions No. 2

The judges critique the food and eliminate contestants.

Monday, June 11th, 2012

3: Auditions No. 3; Top 36 Bootcamp

The contestants compete in a ground beef challenge.

Tuesday, June 12th, 2012

4: Top 18 Compete

The top 18 contestants must create a dish using duck and bananas; the judges challenge the cooks to use unusual ingredients.

Monday, June 18th, 2012

5: Top 16 Compete

The contestants travel to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where they work in teams to prepare a meal for 200 servicemen and women.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

6: Top 15 Compete

The cooks must create a unique dish using unconventional cuts of meat.

Monday, June 25th, 2012

7: Top 14 Compete

The judges split the cooks into teams to prepare breakfast for hotel guests; the members of the losing team must prove they deserve to stay in the competition.

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

8: Top 13 Compete

The cooks must prepare a high quality dish using $20 worth of ingredients; during the elimination round the cooks try to recreate their favorite desserts.

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

9: Top 12 Compete

The contestants are divided into three teams for a food truck challenge; the challenge losers face a pressure test.

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

10: Top 11 Compete

Graham Elliot joins the amateur cooks in a mystery box challenge; two contestants are eliminated.

Monday, July 9th, 2012

11: Top Nine Compete

The cooks must incorporate sea urchin into their creations; the winner of the mystery box challenge assigns the others one of eight different types of fish.

Monday, July 16th, 2012

12: Top 8 Compete

The eight finalists must prepare, cook and serve a hearty meal to 101 cowboys; the challenge losers must prepare six eggs four different ways in only 20 minutes.

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

13: Top 7 Compete

Chef Paula Deen selects items for the mystery box challenge, which includes Southern staples and a surprise for the contestants; the challenge winner pairs the remaining contestants, who must prepare a Japanese dish as a team.

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

14: Top 6 Compete (1)

Eight previously eliminated contestants return to compete for a chance to rejoin the competition.

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

15: Top 6 Compete (2)

The cooks face a mystery box challenge featuring shrimp, with the winner choosing a savory item the hopefuls will have to use in a dessert dish.

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

16: Top 6 Compete (3)

The cooks split into two teams to replicate signature dishes at an award-winning restaurant; the contestants must prepare steak three ways.

Tuesday, August 21st, 2012

17: Top 5 Complete

The cooks select mystery box ingredients that represent who they are; the judges surprise the cooks with a twist; the cooks re-create a dish that Graham Elliot served to the president.

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

18: Top 4 Compete

The cooks split into two teams to prepare a meal for the judges and three respected chefs; the cooks on the losing team compete against each other.

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

19: Top 3 Compete

The final three contestants are asked to reflect on their culinary experiences and create a dish that embodies their personality and passion; the top two contestants are chosen.

Monday, September 10th, 2012

20: Winner Chosen

The remaining cooks make a final effort to impress the judges; one contestant wins the grand prize.

Season 4

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

2: Auditions No. 2

Home cooks present dishes to the judges.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

1: Auditions No. 1

Home cooks present dishes to the judges.

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

3: Top 19 Revealed

The judges pare down the competition in the final round of auditions; the cooks take on a lamb challenge.

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

4: Top 19 Compete

The top 19 contestants face a mystery box challenge; the contestants face elimination.

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

5: Top 18 Compete

The cooks must create a healthy meal for over 300 school children.

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

6: Top 17 Compete

The cooks must prepare a dish using mystery box ingredients, which include cod; two contestants are sent home.

17: Top 7 Compete

18: Top 6 Compete

Previously eliminated contestants get the chance to get back in the competition by perfectly frying an egg and preparing a salmon dish.

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

19: Top 7 Compete

The cooks must prepare a T-bone steak dish; the challenge winner assigns a type of poultry to the other contestants.

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

20: Top 6 Compete

The cooks must re-create popular dishes served at a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Los Angeles; the losing team must prepare a perfect plate of fried calamari with a side of marinara sauce.

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

21: Top 5 Compete (1)

The judges are joined by their sons, who help critique a mystery box challenge; re-creating a dish.

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

22: Top 5 Compete (2)

Two cooks advance to the finals while the remaining three face a pressure test.

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

23: Top 4 Compete

The cooks split into two teams for the mystery box challenge.

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

24: Top 3 Compete

The remaining three contestants cook more sophisticated versions of the dishes they made in their initial auditions.

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

25: Winner Chosen

The final two cooks prepare three-course meals; the judges choose the winner.

Season 5

Monday, May 26th, 2014

1: Top 30 Compete

Amateur cooks prepare their signature dishes for the judges in hope of earning a white apron.

Monday, June 2nd, 2014

2: Top 22 Compete

The contestants must prepare a unique dish in the first mystery box challenge -- which features ingredients typically used in desserts; in the next round, the contestants prepare a classic American dish.

Monday, June 9th, 2014

3: Top 20 Compete

The cooks compete to feed 500 male and female troops on a desert Army base; the losing team faces a pressure test featuring blueberry pie.

Monday, June 16th, 2014

4: Top 18 Compete

The contestants tackle a seafood challenge, with the winner chooses what dessert the others prepare in the elimination round.

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

5: Top 17 Compete

The contestants prepare a seafood menu for a beachfront wedding; one team faces a challenge featuring a meal with steak and fries.

Monday, June 30th, 2014

6: Top 16 Compete

The contestants prepare a dish using canned foods; MasterChef winner Luca Manfe and MasterChef Junior winner Alexander Weiss help determine what dish the contestants cook in the elimination round.

Monday, July 7th, 2014

7: Top 15 Compete

The contestants must put aside their difference as they pair up to create a surf-and-turf dish; the challenge losers face a pressure test featuring spring rolls.

Monday, July 14th, 2014

8: Top 14 Compete

The remaining 14 cooks work in two sets of teams at a busy, iconic diner in Los Angeles; the members of the losing team must make a three-layer red velvet cake during a pressure test.

Monday, July 21st, 2014

9: Top 13 Compete

The cooks must create a dish using Alaskan king salmon; during the elimination round, the cooks create a dish using one judge's favorite ingredients.

Monday, July 28th, 2014

10: Top 12 Compete

The cooks prepare romantic dinners for couples celebrating anniversaries; Ramsay's wife joins him for dinner; the losing team create their own truffle recipes for a box of chocolates.

Monday, August 4th, 2014

11: Top 11 Compete

For the first time, the contestants get to choose between two mystery boxes: one filled with high-end ingredients and one containing ordinary items; the winner of the challenge chooses which type of stuffed pasta the remaining cooks make.

Monday, August 11th, 2014

12: Top 10 Compete

The home cooks split into two teams and create menus of healthy football game concessions for an entire stadium; the cooks on the losing team must create three unique prawn dishes in a pressure test.

Monday, August 18th, 2014

13: Top 8 Compete

The cooks split into teams of two and prepare a poultry dish using different parts of the chicken; two pairs face a pressure test with eggs.

Monday, August 25th, 2014

14: Top 7 Compete

The remaining contestants receive hometown encouragement as they prepare savory apple dishes; while the challenge winner is safe from elimination, the other contestants form teams of two and make a variety of dim sum.

Monday, September 1st, 2014

15: Top 6 Compete

The remaining six cooks compete in teams and take over a high-end restaurant in Los Angeles. The losing team competes individually in a unique croquembouche pressure test.

Monday, September 8th, 2014

17: Top 4 Compete

A final team challenge establishes who moves on to the top three.

Monday, September 8th, 2014

16: Top 5 Compete

Each cook creates a dish inspired by one of their loved ones after they meet with some VIP kitchen guests and all but the winner prepre rare protein dishes to stay in the game.

Monday, September 15th, 2014

19: Winner Chosen

The two top chefs compete in a final pressure test and the judges choose a winner.

Monday, September 15th, 2014

18: Top 3 Compete

One chef moves on to the finals after impressing a panel of judges representing all 50 states and a second finalist is determined based on a challenge involving three classic American desserts.

Season 6

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

1: Let the Battle Commence: Top 40

Forty of the best home cooks in America travel to Los Angeles to present their signature dishes to the distinguished judging panel: Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and new judge Christina Tosi.

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

2: The Battle Continues: Top 22

The initial forty cooks continue to battle for a coveted white apron and a spot in the Top 22.

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015

3: You're The Apple Of My Eye

The Top 22 home cooks in America face their first Mystery Box Challenge. Each contestant is given 20 staple ingredients that anyone could find in their home and tasked with preparing a dish for the judges — were the judges to show up at their homes for dinner. The winner of the Mystery Box Challenge receives a significant advantage in the season's first pressure test, during which contestants must make their versions of an apple pie.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015

4: Cinammon Roll-er Coaster

The remaining 20 home cooks face their first team challenge of the season at an amusement park. Once teams are decided, each team is tasked with creating its version of an amusement park burger and fish & chips dish for thousands of amusement park guests. The winning team is safe from elimination, while the losing team has to face the first pressure test of the season, during which the home cooks make 12 cinnamon rolls.

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015

5: Clawing to Victory

The next mystery box challenge has the home cooks come out of their shells and prepare unique crab dishes for the judges. The home cook who prepares the best crab dish receives a significant advantage before the next elimination challenge. Then the remaining home cooks create their versions of sweet or savory dishes, using the same surprise ingredient of corn.

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

6: What Happens in Vegas Steaks in Vegas

In the second field challenge of the season, the home cooks take a surprise trip to Las Vegas, where they are split into two teams to take over Drai's Nightclub and feed 101 Las Vegas performers. The team who receives the most winning votes from the Las Vegas performer diners is safe from the next pressure test, while the losing team deals with a deuce steak contest at Gordon Ramsay's Steak. In the pressure test, the home cooks face two steak challenges testing temperature and taste, and one contestant is sent home.

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

7: Bring Home the Bacon

In the next challenge, it's proven that Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day when the home cooks are each tasked to create an elevated breakfast dish in 45 minutes. Not only does the winner have immunity in the next mystery box challenge, but they also receive two additional advantages. Later, in the mystery box challenge, contestants must create TV dinners.

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015

8: Happy Birthday MasterChef

Each team prepares a two-course menu for the 100th episode celebration, during which VIP guests dine on oyster and caviar appetizers and a duck breast entrée, followed by a special surprise dish by judge Christina Tosi. The losing team faces the next pressure test, in which contestants must create a three-layer birthday cake.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

9: Gordon's Greatest Hits

The remaining home cooks learn from the best as they enter a special taste-it-and-make-it challenge. Each contestant must recreate Gordon Ramsay's signature Beef Wellington. The home cooks with the worst dishes compete in the next pressure test, featuring another Gordon Ramsay dish — scallops with puree of English peas, bacon, and quail eggs, finished with shaved truffles. Find out who can keep up with the master and who is sent home for good.

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

10: Rice Rice Baby

In the next mystery box challenge, the remaining home cooks must create a rice dish in 60 minutes. The contestant with the winning dish will be featured in Family Circle Magazine and do not have to participate in the next elimination challenge. Then, in the elimination challenge, contestants are tasked with creating dishes based on dynamic duo ingredients. Find out who makes it into the Top 10 best home cooks in America.

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

11: Moo-vers And Bakers

The Top 10 home cooks enter the Wild West when they face their next team challenge and create steak meals for 101 cowboys and ranchers. The team that receives the most winning votes moo-ve on in the competition, while the remaining home cooks face the next pressure test. For the pressure test the losing team bakes tarts and see who can bake their way to victory.

Wednesday, July 29th, 2015

12: Family Reunion

The Top 10 home cooks cook family style when they face their next team challenge and create family style meals for VIP diners. After each team prepares their family style meals, they are greeted by the dinner guests, their family members. Each diner votes for one team's meal and the team with the most votes is safe from the next pressure test. In the pressure test, the losing team home cooks must create a gnocchi-in-brown-sage-butter-sauce dish.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2015

13: A Little Southern Flare

The cooks prepare a flambé in a mystery box challenge, and the winner is safe from elimination and also gets to choose which Southern dish the contestants must make. The winner also receives two other significant advantages.

Wednesday, August 12th, 2015

14: Getting A-Head in the Competition

In the next team challenge, the remaining home cooks split into teams to prepare vegetarian meals for guests of the MasterChef restaurant. Teams have access to any ingredients that they choose in the MasterChef pantry, as long as the dishes are vegetarian. The winning team is safe from elimination, while the losing team must cook in the next pressure test and create delicious well-composed meals using various cuts from an animal head.

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

15: A Storm's A Brewing

In the next mystery box challenge, the remaining home cooks must create a dish using coffee as one of the main ingredients. The winner of the challenge receives a significant advantage in the next pressure test and is safe from elimination. Then, during the pressure test, contestants team up in pairs as they replicate an elaborate party platter.

Wednesday, August 26th, 2015

16: The Restaurant Takeover

In the next team challenge, the Top 6 home cooks face the wildly popular restaurant takeover. Each team must complete two appetizer and two entree dishes for the dining guests in a downtown Los Angeles restaurant. The winning team is safe from elimination, while the losing team members face the next pressure test, in which they prep, cook, and plate three different pasta dishes. Find out who can't stand the heat of the restaurant kitchen and who moves on to the Top 5.

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015

17: Return of the Champions

In the next mystery box challenge, the Top 5 home cooks must create a dish using pear, blue cheese, tomato, portabella mushroom, and chocolate. The winner receives both safety from elimination and the power to choose among 4 baskets of ingredients for the elimination challenge, baskets that were put together with the help of the 3 former MasterChef winners.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2015

18: Think Inside the Box

The 4 remaining contestants use special ingredients from Gordon and Graham in the next team challenge. Each team must create a unique appetizer and entrée, and create them 3 times. The losing pair face a pressure test in which they must recreate judge Christina Tosi's world-famous Chocolate Malted Layer Cake to see who rounds out the Top 3.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

19: Team Gordon Ramsay

In the next challenge, with a little help from a few other home cooks, the remaining three contestants create dishes for 30 restaurant guests who serve an important role in the judges' culinary world. The home cook with the most number of votes moves on in the competition, while the remaining two home cooks face the next pressure test, during which they must complete three classic MasterChef dishes. The home cook with the best dishes moves on to the finals.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

20: The Finale

In the final challenge in the MasterChef kitchen, the Top Two home cooks have one last chance to prove to the judges that they deserve the MasterChef title by creating a three-course meal. After evaluating the final dishes, the judges reveal America's next MasterChef, and the deserving home cook walks away with a MasterChef trophy, a book deal and the $250,000 grand prize.

Season 7

Wednesday, June 1st, 2016

1: Battle for a White Apron (1)

Forty of the best home cooks in America travel to Los Angeles to compete in the Battle of the Apron challenge and attempt to move forward to compete for the title, a cookbook deal, and the $250,000 grand prize. Judging the battle rounds are Ramsay and Tosi.

Wednesday, June 8th, 2016

2: Battle for a White Apron (2)

The second half of the 40 home cooks have their culinary skills tested as the Battle of the Apron challenge continues.

Wednesday, June 15th, 2016

3: Wolfgang Puck

The top 20 home cooks in America meet guest judge Wolfgang Puck, who introduces the first Mystery Box Challenge - potatoes. The winner has a significant decision going into the elimination challenge, during which they have to replicate one of Chef Ramsay's signature dishes in less than 60 minutes.

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016

4: A MasterChef Wedding

The Top 18 home cooks are divided in to 2 teams where they have to prepare appetizers and entrees for season 6 contestant Nick Nappi on his wedding day! Not only do they feel the pressure from Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and a former contestant but also Nick's bride and 72 hungry wedding guests, the winning team earns a significant advantage in the next elimination challenge.

Wednesday, June 29th, 2016

5: A Mexican Mystery

The remaining 17 home cooks are joined by special guests Season 6 winner Claudia Sandoval and guest culinary judge Aarón Sánchez as they reveal the next mystery box challenge. Each contestant has 60 minutes to create their own unique dish using a number of Sandoval's favorite ingredients. The winner of the challenge is safe from the next elimination round and helps to decide the fate of 3 other contestants in the elimination.

Wednesday, July 6th, 2016

6: Gordon Ramsay Masterclass

The remaining 16 home cooks get a very special treat leading into the next challenge, as Chef Ramsay demonstrates how to properly deconstruct a lobster. They then each have 25 minutes to kill, poach, and shell a lobster, just as they learned. The winner has the advantage of choosing which team he or she joins for the next field challenge. For the second part of the challenge, Chef Ramsay demonstrates how to make lobster tortellini in a seafood broth. The contestants have 45 minutes to recreate Ramsay’s dish to avoid elimination.

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

7: Vets, Jets, and Home Cooks

The remaining 15 home cooks separate into 2 teams for the second major field challenge of the competition, cooking for 101 hungry veterans! The 2 teams have 75 minutes to prep, and one hour to serve a dish consisting of a steak, two sides, and a sauce. After a dramatic day out in the field, the veterans have the power to vote for their favorite dish. The team with the most votes is safe in the competition, while the team with the least amount of votes faces the pressure test.

Wednesday, July 20th, 2016

8: The Good, the Bad, and the Offal

The contestants are introduced to special culinary guest judge Edward Lee, who reveals the third Mystery Box challenge. Contestants lift their boxes only to find a $20 bill. They each have 5 minutes to shop for ingredients priced in the pantry without spending more than $20. Then they have 45 minutes to prepare four entree dishes to present to the judges. Not only will the winner and the winner's dish be featured in Family Circle magazine, but they also avoid having to participate in the elimination challenge.

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

9: A Piece of Cake

The remaining 12 contestants are broken up into two teams to prep, cook, and plate 30 dishes for teenagers celebrating their Sweet 16 birthdays. Each team receives a surprise box with 16 different ingredients and one protein. They'll have 60 minutes to prepare and present their dishes to the diners, who then vote on their favorite dish. The losing contestants are faced with the Birthday Cake pressure test and have 90 minutes to bake a three-layer birthday cake and then face a dramatic elimination.

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016

10: The Weakest Links

The remaining 11 contestants are dropped off in the middle of a vegetable field and surprised by the judges – Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and guest judge Edward Lee – who inform them of their next team field challenge. The teams go head-to-head with 75 minutes to prepare and cook their dishes, followed by 45 minutes to serve more than 100 hungry farmers. The losing team must cook an elevated sausage in a bun in the elimination challenge.

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016

11: Sweet Surprise

The Top 10 contestants have 60 minutes to prep, cook and plate a Nutella breakfast dish. The winner, who is safe from the next elimination challenge, also gets to choose what dish the other contestants must prepare for the challenge. Is it paella, bibimbap, or risotto?

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

12: 5 Star Food

Guest judge Kevin Sbraga cooks alongside the Top 9 in the next Mystery Box Challenge, as they create an impressive dish using unique upscale ingredients. The contestants then go head-to-head in the elimination challenge, cooking with either fresh salmon or canned salmon.

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

13: Hot Potato

14: Tag Team

The 7 remaining cooks compete in their next Mystery Box Challenge using 3 basic utensils to prepare 2 dishes. The contestants are paired up and go head-to-head in the elimination challenge to create a picnic platter.

Wednesday, August 31st, 2016

15: Pop-Up Restaurant

16: Family Drama

The 5 remaining contestants are introduced to special culinary guest judge Richard Blais – chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author – who reveals the seventh Mystery Box challenge. The winner avoids competing in the elimination challenge and the remaining contestants are given five minutes to shop for a basket full of twenty ingredients. With an unexpected twist in the competition, one is eliminated.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

17: Critics Choice

The 4 remaining contestants are given 90 minutes to prepare either a halibut or duck entrée for VIP food critics in the Studio Box challenge. The winning team is exempt from the elimination challenge and the losing team faces the Pressure Test to recreate three pork dishes.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

18: The Finale (1)

The three finalists are sent home for one week to plan their menus. They are visited at their homes by Gordon and Christina. For the finals, Wolfgang Puck and Daniel Boulud join the judging panel. The finalists will have one hour for each course to prepare four portions of their best appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
Appetizer: Brandi presents braised pork belly with BBQ sauce and squash-parsnip puree; David prepares beet cured salmon with a soft-boiled egg, filo dough noodles, salmon roe and caviar; and Shaun makes halibut cheeks with vadouvan carrot puree, pickled mushrooms, and uni foam.
The entrées begin cooking as the first hour ends.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

19: The Finale (2)

The contestants have one hour to create entrees and one hour to create a dessert. After evaluating the final dishes, the judges reveal America's next MasterChef, and the deserving home cook walks away with the trophy, a book deal, and the $250,000 grand prize.

Season 8

Wednesday, May 31st, 2017

1: Battle for a White Apron (1)

Forty of America's best home cooks travel to Los Angeles to compete in the Battle for a White Apron challenge, during which they face off against each other to try to earn a place in the Top 20. Judging the battle rounds is Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and new judge and award-winning chef Aarón Sánchez.

Wednesday, June 7th, 2017

2: Battle for a White Apron (2)

The remaining chefs compete for a spot in the Top 20. Only nine aprons remain and it is up to the judges to decide who makes it and who goes home.

Wednesday, June 14th, 2017

3: America's Grocery Bag

In their first mystery box challenge of the season, the Top 20 have to take 12 of the most popular ingredients found on any American home cook's shopping list and make the judges a MasterChef-worthy dish. Whoever wins the challenge has a huge advantage moving forward in the competition.

Wednesday, June 21st, 2017

4: Feeding the Lifeguards

The Top 19 take it to the sandy shore, where they compete in their first team challenge of the season. The chefs have to prepare and cook fresh fish for 101 lifeguards who then vote on their favorite dish. The losing team has to compete in a pressure test before the judges send one chef home.

Wednesday, June 28th, 2017

5: Shell-Shocked & Scrambled

The Top 18 face a mystery box challenge that includes cooking some of the finest shellfish in the world. The winner receives a huge advantage moving forward, leaving the rest of the home cooks to compete in an elimination challenge, during which they must create a Gordon Ramsay classic. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who leaves the kitchen.

Wednesday, July 12th, 2017

6: Silenced by the Lambs

The cooks take part in a challenging skills test, during which they must prepare racks of lamb with fine artistry. Those who fail to impress the judges face an elimination challenge that includes recreating Gordon Ramsay's signature lamb chop dish. It is then up to the judges to decide who leaves the kitchen.

Wednesday, July 19th, 2017

7: Breakfast, Lunch & Winner

The home cooks head to Beverly Hills, CA, to take over the dining room breakfast service for The Belvedere restaurant at the iconic five-star Peninsula Hotel. After splitting into two teams, the cooks makes a variety of dishes for diners. The team that fails the challenge has to face a pressure test and cook a perfectly battered fish and chips dish. It is then up to the judges to decide who leaves the kitchen.

Wednesday, July 26th, 2017

8: Whole-y Cow!

The Top 15 face a mystery box challenge in which they randomly choose from boxes containing a different body part of a cow and use it as the star of a dish. The winner receives a huge advantage moving forward, while those who didn't impress must face off in an elimination challenge. It is then up to the judges to decide who leaves the kitchen.

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017

9: Holy Cannoli

The kitchen is transformed into a full dining room, as it welcomes purveyors of the finest local ingredients, ranging from butchers and vegetable farmers, to beekeepers and herb growers. After splitting into two teams, the home cooks must prepare dishes using the guests' own ingredients. The purveyors then vote on which team created a better dish, forcing the losing team to head back to the kitchen for a pressure test, during which they cook a classic Italian dessert, the cannoli. It is then up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, August 9th, 2017

10: The MasterChef Returns

Reigning champion Shaun O'Neale returns to the MasterChef kitchen, as he chooses ingredients from his new cookbook to be part of the mystery box challenge. The winner receives a huge advantage moving forward, leaving the other chefs to battle it out in a coconut-themed elimination challenge. It is then up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, August 16th, 2017

11: Vegas Deluxe & Oyster Shucks

The Top 12 head to Sin City for a team challenge during which they serve 50 VIPs in entertainment and hospitality at Caesars Palace for its 50th Anniversary party. Each guest tastes both teams' dishes and then casts a vote for their favorite dish. The team with the most votes wins, sending the losing team back to the kitchen for a pressure test. It is then up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

12: In a Pinch

In this week's skills test, the Top 11 are given a bag of live crawfish and have to carefully cook them in order to extract the most meat possible. The six weakest cooks go head-to-head in an elimination challenge, during which they will make a crawfish dish created by none other than Gordon Ramsay.

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

13: Gordon's Game of Chicken

The Top 10 cooks compete in a chicken-and-potato team challenge. Find out which contestants will be eliminated.

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

14: A Mexican Tag Team Challenge

In this week's mystery box challenge, the Top 9 must create a dish that is reminiscent of their favorite family breakfast, using Nutella as the key ingredient. The winner gets a huge advantage moving forward, leaving the rest of the chefs to pair up for a Mexican-themed tag team challenge.

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

15: The Great Outdoors

The Top 8 head to Big Bear Lake to cook fresh fish. Find out which contestants will be eliminated.

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017

16: Chopsticks & Pasta

In this week's mystery box challenge, the Top 7 must create an Asian-inspired dish that centers around one of the most prominent utensils in culinary history - chopsticks! The winner gets a huge advantage moving forward, leaving the remaining home cooks to compete in a pasta-themed elimination challenge.

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017

17: Pop-Up Restaurant

The Top 6 split up in teams for a classic MasterChef challenge - to cook for food critics, writers, and chefs at a pop-up restaurant in a Southern California vineyard. Find out which contestant is eliminated.

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

18: Something Fishy

In this week's mystery box challenge, the Top 6 get a special treat as their family members join them in the MasterChef kitchen. The contestants will then have to cook a dish inspired by their families before competing in an elimination test that will send one or more of them home.

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

19: The Semi-Finals

The remaining home cooks will face a series of skills tests that will determine who will make it to the finale.

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017

20: The Finale (1)

The remaining chefs compete for the trophy and the $250,000 prize. Guest judge: Joe Bastianich.

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017

21: The Finale (2)

The remaining chefs compete for the trophy and the $250,000 prize. Guest judge: Joe Bastianich.

Season 9

Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

1: The Judges Do Battle (1)

Forty-three home cooks compete to earn a spot in the top 24.

Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

2: The Judges Do Battle (2)

The three judges each choose eight home cooks to mentor throughout the competition.

Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

3: The Judges Do Battle (3)

Forty-three of America's finest home cooks compete in the MasterChef Battle of the Apron challenge, during which they face off against each other to earn a spot in the Top 24.

Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

4: Home State Heroes

In the first mystery box challenge of the season, the Top 24 must prep, cook, and plate one dish featuring an ingredient unique to each of their home states.

Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

5: Gordon Ramsay Masterclass

In the first skills test of the season, Gordon teaches the home cooks how to properly break down a crab before the contestants must replicate his work. Those whose skills don't cut it face an elimination challenge during which Gordon shows them how to make his signature Crab Benedict dish. It is then up to the judges to decide who stays and who goes home.

Wednesday, June 20th, 2018

6: Trouble Brewing

The Top 20 chefs face the first team challenge of the season at the Anheuser Busch brewery. Teams must cook a beer-infused lunch for more than 100 employees. The team that receives the least amount of votes head back to the kitchen for a banana cream pie pressure test that determines who is eliminated.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018

7: World Cup Dishes

The contestants face a mystery box challenge where they must create a dish using one common ingredient – walnuts. The winner receives 3 huge advantages. Later, the MasterChef kitchen welcomes American soccer legend, Alexi Lalas, who introduces a street-food themed elimination challenge that involves popular food among soccer fans in various countries. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018

8: A Gordon Ramsay Wedding

The contestants head to Malibu, California, and cook for Season 7 winner Shaun O’Neale’s wedding – with Gordon Ramsay officiating! After splitting into 2 teams, the home cooks have limited time to prepare and cook 51 appetizers and 51 entrees for guests in attendance. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who stays and who heads home.

Wednesday, July 18th, 2018

9: The Big Not Easy

The contestants face a mystery box filled with fresh seafood and must create a dish using 2 items from it. The chefs who fail to impress the judges face an elimination challenge and are asked to upgrade one of the most popular frozen dinner dishes, Salisbury Steak. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

10: Rise or Fall

The remaining home cooks pair up for a skills test to create a restaurant-quality dish featuring five ingredients, with the 15th contestant being paired up with their mentor and receiving an advantage in the challenge. The chefs who fail to impress the judges face an elimination challenge to create a cheese soufflé in just 40 minutes. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who heads home.

Wednesday, August 1st, 2018

11: The Kids are Alright

The Top 14 contestants are split into 2 teams to compete in a fine-dining challenge to cook 39 dishes for a group of very discerning judges. Contestants are surprised when the diners are revealed, forcing them to scramble and alter their dishes to accommodate the guests. Ultimately the winning team's recipe will be printed in Family Circle Magazine. The losing team competes in a cupcake pressure test with special guest Christina Tosi. The judges then decide who stays and who is sent home.

Wednesday, August 8th, 2018

12: Frying Tonight

The Top 13 contestants face a mystery box challenge with a stockpot and cooking oil and are tasked with making a dish that features a deep-fried element. An extra layer of pressure is put on the contestants as the judges cook alongside them. The winner of the challenge receives an advantage in the elimination challenge to create a citrus-centered dish. The judges then decide who stays and who is sent home.

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018

13: Just for the Halibut

The Top 12 face their third skills test in the MasterChef kitchen and replicate the proper way to break down a halibut. Those who fail to impress the judges are then tasked with creating a stunning original dish using their broken-down fish. Some contestants yield a bountiful filet, while others offer up a poor portion of protein. Ultimately, the judges decide who is left floundering and sent home.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

14: Sky's the Limit

The remaining home cooks are split into 2 teams and are tasked with serving 100 dishes to hungry airmen in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the March Air Reserve Base. The top 2 winners are rewarded as team captains for their next Field Challenge, and someone is sent home.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

15: Tag Team

The contestants are told they will be competing in the dreaded Tag Team Challenge.

Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

16: American Heroes

The 8 remaining home cooks divide into 2 teams and race against the clock to serve restaurant-quality dishes to 25 California firefighters. Ultimately, the firefighters will decide the winning team, while the losing team will face a pasta-themed pressure test where someone is sent home.

Wednesday, August 29th, 2018

17: Waste Not Want Not

The 7 remaining contestants face a Mystery Box challenge filled with waste – literally. The home cook who makes the best dish from food scraps will be safe in the elimination challenge, during which they’ll take on another Mystery Box Challenge, but this time with all the best and freshest ingredients. Find out whose time has come to an end.

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

18: Restaurant Takeover

The Top 6 face the Restaurant Takeover Challenge at Providence in Los Angeles. The home cooks split into 2 teams and must feed a dining room filled with 48 guests. The judges will evaluate each team's performance and the losing team will face the challenging pressure test, after which someone will be sent home.

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

19: Cooking With Heart

The remaining 5 cooks receive a heart-warming mystery box challenge in which contestants create a dish inspired by their loved ones.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

20: Battle of the Beef

The Top 5 home cooks face a series of pressure-filled skills tests using an incredibly common protein – beef. The judges decide which contestant claims a safe spot on the balcony and who faces another culinary test. The 2 weakest home cooks go head-to-head to claim the final spot in the Top 4, while the other is cut.

Wednesday, September 12th, 2018

21: The Semi Final

The final 4 are split into 2 teams, and need to cook one incredible entrée for the judges’ mentors: Chefs Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman, and Lidia Bastianich. The judges choose which winning team moves on, leaving the final 2 to battle it out in a do-or-die pressure test. Find out which 3 make it to the finale.

Wednesday, September 19th, 2018

23: Season Finale (2)

The home cook with the best overall menu is crowned the winner wih a prize of a quarter of a million dollars and the coveted title of MasterChef.

Wednesday, September 19th, 2018

22: Season Finale (1)

The 3 remaining home cooks face their final challenge when they are each asked to prepare a 3-course menu for the judges.